Project: BMW E21

[e21Mark]

I hate water getting inside the car. It was one of the reasons I opted for a non sunroof car this time around. Are you certain the water is getting in via the heater? I hope you get it sorted anyway.

I know what it's like to run out of time and patience with a build but I hope you'll see it through. It would be so sad to sell it now and miss out on enjoying all that hard graft.

[eddiethekid]

I know deep down that selling it would be stupid, I'd never make anywhere near what I've spent, so the maths doesn't add up, let alone the hard work being enjoyed by someone else.

I hope so Mark, if the leak isn't coming from there, then I really don't know where it's coming from.

Drain has been rerouted.

There's no rust/holes anywhere on the car.

We poured water on the heaterbox seal and water came into the cabin from behind the box, so I'm just putting 2 and 2 together.

[B'stard Child]

eddiethekid said:

I know deep down that selling it would be stupid, I'd never make anywhere near what I've spent, so the maths doesn't add up, let alone the hard work being enjoyed by someone else.

Don't lose heart - tackle one job at a time

I've been working on one of my cars every spare moment I can for 2 weeks now - it's arse is in the air - no rear end at all (seriously I mean everything is out) - it's all being shot lasted and powder coated and the place had a compressor breakdown so those parts aren't ready yet, all the brakes need redbuilding, half the body kit is off - I have 2 sills to fit and some other welding to do, the mig is about to run out of gas, everything takes twice as long to put together as it does to take apart. I have zero holiday so can't add extra time to the equation and I have 7 days left before I need to get it insured, MOT'd and then taxed if I'm going to get it to the show I want to take it too..........

I also need some snagging time before I give a mates wife or son (not sure who yet) a lift to the show as he's taking a two seater so it's really got to happen.......

I'm still doing one thing at a time

PS if I haven't said so elsewhere you are doing a lovely job and I really like the way it's going so

Edited by B'stard Child on Wednesday 7th August 00:45

[richtea78]

B'stard Child said:

Don't lose heart - tackle one job at a time

I've been working on one of my cars every spare moment I can for 2 weeks now - it's arse is in the air - no rear end at all (seriously I mean everything is out) - it's all being shot lasted and powder coated and the place had a compressor breakdown so those parts aren't ready yet, all the brakes need redbuilding, half the body kit is off - I have 2 sills to fit and some other welding to do, the mig is about to run out of gas, everything takes twice as long to put together as it does to take apart. I have zero holiday so can't add extra time to the equation and I have 7 days left before I need to get it insured, MOT'd and then taxed if I'm going to get it to the show I want to take it too..........

I also need some snagging time before I give a mates wife or son (not sure who yet) a lift to the show as he's taking a two seater so it's really got to happen.......

I'm still doing one thing at a time

PS if I haven't said so elsewhere you are doing a lovely job and I really like the way it's going so

Edited by B'stard Child on Wednesday 7th August 00:45

You probably shouldnt be wasting time on Pistonheads then should you!

[Barry38]

Amazing project, is this the first car you are ever doing this with?

[B'stard Child]

richtea78 said:

You probably shouldnt be wasting time on Pistonheads then should you!

@ 1am I called it a night but I see your point

[eddiethekid]

Barry38 said:

Amazing project, is this the first car you are ever doing this with?

Certainly is, I've never done anything even close to this before.

So, tonight I managed to remove the brake master cylinder and strip it down.



Pushrod removed:



Circlip removed (it came off at about Mach 3 tbh, nearly took my eye out.

First piston removed:



Second piston removed:



Rubber inlets and washers removed:



All stripped down and ready to be cleaned up and rebuilt:

[eddiethekid]

Some pictures of the wheels in white primer, sprayed the other day:





In the meantime today, I got the base coat of silver on the wheels:

[aka_kerrly]

Just checking in on your progress - my heart sank when I saw the collapsed gazebo. That was a very lucky escape.

glad its ok and work is progressing.

[eddiethekid]

Master cylinder rebuilt yesterday.

Pistons rebuilt with new seals:



All reassembled, ready for bench bleeding and refitting:



Wheels were flatted down, and then the final coat of base:





Then a few coats of lacquer:





Few running issues with my daily at the moment, so I've got 2 BMW's to be working on.

[e21Mark]

Wheels look great and should really finish the look.

[eddiethekid]

Great news!

The master cylinder rebuild has worked, or it certainly seems to have done. The brakes work like they used to, and a test drive confirms that the problem would seem to have been solved.

This meant I could press on with the interior, I got the waterproof skin on the inside of the doors tonight:



Then rain stopped play, so I had to call it a night.

Should make some good progress tomorrow, with a decent update to follow.

[aspirated]

Debumpered sharknoses :cloud9

[aspirated]

Debumpered sharknoses

[eddiethekid]

So, the final push happened the other day.

I noticed a leak on the rear seat/carpet behind the drivers seat.

Looked up to see this:



Causing this:



That was immediately dealt with in the form of some silicone.

After that I started putting the final bits and pieces back together. Carpeted my centre console section:





I also sprayed my armrests black to match the new door cards. Left them to dry for a few days and they've come out brilliantly.



Most importantly the paint hasn't filled the "grain":



But of all the bits done recently, the best was getting some tyres on the wheels and getting them fitted







The front still needs to come down a bit, and they could do with some spacers, but I think the wheels look brilliant, very happy

So, it goes in for an MOT on Saturday, I see no reason why it shouldn't pass

[e21Mark]

Looks terrific. MiMs were made for e21 anyway and mimic the Alpina look, so really suit it. Are you fitting the front bumper?

[TheThing]

That is lovely mate. I wish i had the time, knowledge and patience to do something like this. Top job.

[eddiethekid]

The bumper is staying off.

I had the valance smoothed when it was painted

[eddiethekid]

So yeah, as some of you know, the E21 unfortunately failed it's MOT on the Saturday just passed.

Happily the issues it had appear to be sorted, and it'll be getting retested in time for Trax.

For now, a couple of photos from the other day, where the car received a nice in depth detail, finishing with a coat of Zaino Z2.

[melvster]

MINT !!!